Decubitus pad



T. C. WARD DECUBITUS PAD Feb. 13, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 11, 1960 6. Ward m m M T INVENTOR.

(wavy 3% T. C. WARD DECUBITUS PAD Feb. 13, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 11, 1960 Thomas C. Ward INVENTOR. @06 BY flaw W mg United States Patent G 3,020,910 DECUBITUS PAD Thomas C. Ward, P.O. Box 34, San Dimas, Calif. Filed May 11, 1960, Ser. No. 28,298 2 Claims. (Cl. 128-132) The present invention generally relates to a decubitus pad and more particularly to such a device for use by persons confined to beds such as bedridden patients or invalids for the purpose of preventing or controlling the formation of pressure sores on the back and hips of such patients.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a decubitus pad which is quite simple in construction, easy to wear, eflective for its particular purposes, and generally inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a decubitus pad including a belt for retaining the pad in position together with a generally curved and resilient pad held in a manner so that the pad will automatically be positioned under the highest bony prominence or protuberance of the pelvis and also of the hips will be cushioned whether the patient is lying on his back or on either side.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic plan view illustrating the orientation of the decubitus pad of the present invention in relation to the patient;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the pad itself;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse, sectional vie-w taken substantially upon the plane passing along section line 33 of FIGURE 2 illustrating the details of construction of the invention.

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of a modified form of the invention employing a pneumatically inflated resilient member;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the rear of the pad of FIGURE 4; and

FIGURE 6 is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 66 of FIGURE 4 illustrating the details of construction of this form of the invention.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the decubitus pad of the present invention which may be termed semi-circular or arcuate pad which includes a backing or mounting strip or strap 12 which may be of rubber of other resilient flexible material. Adjacent the inner or concave edge of the strap 12 is a semi-cylindrical projection of resilient material designated by numeral 14 and at the concave or outer edge of the strap 12 is another semi-cylindrical pad of resilient material 16. The pads or cushions 14 and 16 are constructed of resilient material such as foam rubber or plastic or the like.

Attached to the outer edge of the strap 12 adjacent the center thereof is an elongated loop-shaped member 18 somewhat in the nature of an elongated belt loop for receiving an elongated belt 20 therethrough. The belt 20 is provided with a buckle structure 22 on one end thereof which detachably and adjustably receives the free end of the belt 20 for retaining the belt 20 in encircling relation to the waist region 24 of a patient.

As will be illustrated in FIGURE 2, the strap 12 may be provided with indicator points 26, 28, and 30 ar ranged in longitudinally spaced relation. The point 28 will be disposed in such a manner that it will underlie the highest bony prominence of the pelvis (sacro-coccygeal joint) when the patient is lying on his back. Then,

ice

the points 26 and 30 respectively will automatically be positioned under the highest points of the hips (trochanter) when the patient turns on either side. Thus, the resilient pads 14 and 16 will be positioned above and below each high point or pressure point Where pressure sores usually occur depending on what poistion the patient spends the majority of his time thereby substantially preventing or controlling the formation of such pressure sores.

When properly placed in relation to a patient as illustrated in FIGURE 1, the center spot 28 is placed over or under the sacro-coccygeal joint which is usually the highest point in the sacral area at the center of the back where pressure sores usually occur. Then when the patient rolls to either side the highest point on the hip would automatically come in place over the end points 26 or 30 depending upon which way the patient rolls. In either case, the patient is supported on each side of the high point instead of directly on the point Where the pressure sores occur.

FIGURES 4-6 illustrate a modified form of invention generally designated by numeral 32 which includes a curved backing member or strap 34 having the convex edge thereof provided with a projection 36 being reversely folded and attached to itself thereby forming a loop 38 for a belt or strap 40 having a buckle 42 on one end thereof for encircling and mounting on the waist of the person using the device. The backing member or strap 34 is provided with rounded end edges 44 and the periphery of the upper face of the backing member 34 is provided with an annular inflated tube 46 which extends perimetrically around the backing member 34 and being disposed on the upper surface thereof and being bonded thereto by any suitable manner such as adhesive or the like. The inflatable tube 46 is provided with an inflation valve 48 by which a suitable instrument may be communicated with the tubular member 46 for inflating the same to the desired inflation pressure.

This form of the invention works in exactly the same manner as the form of the invention illustrated and described in FIGURE 1 with the exception of the inflatable tube 46 forms the support for the patient in spaced relation above and below the high points in lieu of the pads 14 and 16.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling Within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A decubitus pad for bedridden patients comprising an arcuate, flexible backing member having a convex upper edge and a concave lower edge with the center of the backing member adapted to underlie the high point of the pelvis and the end portions of the backing member adapted to underlie the high points of the hips when the patient rolls to either side, means attached to the upper edge of the backing member for mounting the pad onto a patient, and means along the upper and lower edges of the pad for engaging and supporting the patient above and below the high points of both the pelvis and the hips, the last-named means including resilient, longitudinal protuberances disposed in spaced, parallel relation to each other, said resilient protuberances comprising a solid pad of resilient foam material.

2. A decubitus pad for a patient resting on his back on a bed, said pad comprising a flexible strip adapted to lie flat on the bed and extend transversely beneath the lower portion of the body for underlying the high point References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Weaver Sept. 27, 1859 Ogle Sept. 18, 1923 West Feb. 23, 1926 Catarau Aug. 8, 1933 Blath Oct. 6, 1936 Thompson Mar. 25, 1958 

